|
|
The town of Gaspé encompasses more than 17 coastal villages spread out over 150 kilometres along the coast, from L'Anse-à-Valleau "northern gateway to the town of Gaspé" to Douglastown.
In the language of the Micmac, Gespeg means "end of the land". However, the beginning of the country and of western history in North America is associated to Gaspé. The cross erected by Jacques Cartier in 1534 earned Gaspé the title of Cradle of Canada. The municipality covers 1,447 km2 and groups together over 17 coastal villages, which have preserved their ethnic, economic and cultural characteristics: a mosaic spreading out between the sea and the mountains.
Wherever you might be, salt or fresh water is never far away. A deep indentation in the coastline creates a magnificent body of water sheltered by the mountains, the Gaspé Bay. In Gaspé, you can fish salmon in three crystal-clear rivers, the York, the Dartmouth and the Saint-Jean. Each year more than 1,500 fishermen come to this region to cast their lines. The summer season overflows with festivals and shows and becomes the meeting place for swimmers, sailors and sports enthusiasts.
Gaspé offers over 300 lodging units, a wide range of quality restaurants, two marinas, an airport and some 450 campsites (including those in Forillon National Park). In the fall, large cruise ships arrive to admire this bay, which dazzles with brilliant colours.
In Gaspé, winter tourism is rapidly expanding. Each winter, in the heart of the downtown area on the frozen bay, a veritable ice fishing village appears. In the winter, Gaspé is also the meeting place for dogsled and snowmobile enthusiasts.
Source: Tourisme Gaspésie
|
|